Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve

SEACAR Habitat Analyses

Threshold Filtering

Threshold filters, following the guidance of Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) are used to exclude specific results values from the SEACAR Analysis. Based on the threshold filters, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) Flags are inserted into the SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode and SEACAR_QAQC_Description columns of the export data. The Include column indicates whether the QAQC Flag will also indicate that data are excluded from analysis. No data are excluded from the data export, but the analysis scripts can use the Include column to exclude data (1 to include, 0 to exclude).

Continuous Water Quality threshold values

Parameter Name	Units	Low Threshold	High Threshold	Sensor Type
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0	50	YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0	50	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0	50	6600 Series
Salinity	ppt	0	70	6600 Series
Salinity	ppt	0	70	YSI EXOs
Salinity	ppt	0	70	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature	Degrees C	-5	45	YSI EXOs
Water Temperature	Degrees C	-5	45	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature	Degrees C	-5	45	6600 Series
pH	pH	2	14	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
pH	pH	2	14	6600 Series
pH	pH	2	14	YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0	500	YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0	500	6600 Series
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0	500	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Specific Conductivity	mS/cm	0	100	6600 Series
Specific Conductivity	mS/cm	0	200	YSI EXOs
Turbidity	NTU	0	4000	YSI EXOs
Turbidity	NTU	0	1000	6600 Series
Turbidity	NTU	0	4000	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04

Discrete Water Quality threshold values

Parameter Name	Units	Low Threshold	High Threshold
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0.000001	22
Salinity	ppt	0	70
Water Temperature	Degrees C	3	40
pH		2	13
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0.000001	310
Specific Conductivity	mS/cm	0.005000001	100
Turbidity	NTU	0	-
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)	mg/L	0	-
Chlorophyll a uncorrected for pheophytin	ug/L	0	-
Chlorophyll a corrected for pheophytin	ug/L	0	-
Secchi Depth	m	0.000001	50
Light Extinction Coefficient	m^1	0	-
Colored dissolved organic matter, CDOM	PCU	0	-
Fluorescent dissolved organic matter, FDOM	QSE	0	-
Total Nitrogen	mg/L	0	-
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen TKN	mg/L	0	-
NO2+3 Filtered	mg/L	0	-
NH4 Filtered	mg/L	0	-
Total Phosphorus	mg/L	0	-
PO4 Filtered	mg/L	0	-
Ammonia- Un-ionized (NH3)	mg/L	0	-
Nitrate (N)	mg/L	0	-
Nitrite (N)	mg/L	0	-
Nitrogen, organic	mg/L	0	-

Quality Assurance Flags inserted based on threshold checks listed in Table 1 & 2

SEACAR QAQC Description	Include	SEACAR QAQCFlagCode
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Not verified in raw data	No	2Q
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Verified in raw data	No	3Q
Below Minimum threshold. Not verified in raw data	No	4Q
Below Minimum threshold. Verified in raw data	No	5Q
Within threshold tolerance	Yes	6Q
No defined thresholds for this parameter	Yes	7Q

Value Qualifiers

Value qualifier codes included within the data are used to exclude certain results from the analysis. The data are retained in the data export files, but the analysis uses the Include column to filter the results.

STORET and WIN value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from STORET and WIN data are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports.

Value Qualifier codes excluded from analysis

Qualifier Source	Value Qualifier	Include	MDL	Description
STORET-WIN	H	No	0	Value based on field kit determination; results may not be accurate
STORET-WIN	J	No	0	Estimated value
STORET-WIN	V	No	0	Analyte was detected at or above method detection limit
STORET-WIN	Y	No	0

Discrete Water Quality Value Qualifiers

The following value qualifiers are highlighted in the Discrete Water Quality section of this report. An exception is made for Program 476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network and data flagged with Value Qualifier H are included for this program only.

H - Value based on field kit determiniation; results may not be accurate. This code shall be used if a field screening test (e.g., field gas chromatograph data, immunoassay, or vendor-supplied field kit) was used to generate the value and the field kit or method has not been recognized by the Department as equivalent to laboratory methods.

I - The reported value is greater than or equal to the laboratory method detection limit but less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit.

Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time. This code shall be used if the value is derived from a sample that was prepared or analyzed after the approved holding time restrictions for sample preparation or analysis.

S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody. The value reported is the depth of the waterbody at the location of the Secchi disk measurement.

U - Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but not detected. This symbol shall be used to indicate that the specified component was not detected. The value associated with the qualifier shall be the laboratory method detection limit. Unless requested by the client, less than the method detection limit values shall not be reported

Systemwide Monitoring Program (SWMP) value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from the SWMP continuous program are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports. SWMP Qualifier Codes are indicated by QualifierSource=SWMP.

SWMP Value Qualifier codes

Qualifier Source	Value Qualifier	Include	Description
SWMP	-1	Yes	Optional parameter not collected
SWMP	-2	No	Missing data
SWMP	-3	No	Data rejected due to QA/QC
SWMP	-4	No	Outside low sensor range
SWMP	-5	No	Outside high sensor range
SWMP	0	Yes	Passed initial QA/QC checks
SWMP	1	No	Suspect data
SWMP	2	Yes	Reserved for future use
SWMP	3	Yes
SWMP	4	Yes	Historical: Pre-auto QA/QC
SWMP	5	Yes	Corrected data

Water Column

The water column habitat extends from the surface of all water bodies to the bottom sediments and encompasses the different features found in the water at different depths (National Oceanographic Center, 2016). The water column habitat must be viewed in relation to its interconnectedness with other habitats. A healthy water column is an integral component in ensuring a healthy marine and coastal ecosystem. Having a flourishing marine and coastal ecosystem in Florida is necessary to support a strong economy. The health of the water column is dependent upon factors as diverse as land use (e.g., agriculture, mining, forestry practices); human population growth; emissions, (e.g., power plants, automobiles, wastewater); climate (e.g., rainfall, temperature, winds and currents); and decadal trends (e.g., El Niño/La Niña, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, climate change).

The water column is composed of various physical, chemical and biological features, and only a small number of them are adequately monitored. Features of the water column that are monitored are used as indicators of the water column health and help assess the status of other habitats. These indicators include nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus); water quality (dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity and pH); water clarity (Secchi depth, turbidity, chlorophyll-a and colored dissolved organic matter); and nekton (fish, macroinvertebrates and megafauna).

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Analysis

Indicators must have a minimum of five to ten years, depending on the habitat, of data within the geographic range of the analysis to be included in the analysis. Ten years of data are required for discrete parameters, and five years of data are required for continuous parameters. If there are insufficient years of data, the number of years of data available will be noted and labeled as “insufficient data to conduct analysis”. Further, for the preferred Seasonal Kendall-Tau test, there must be data from at least two months in common across at least two consecutive years within the RCP managed area being analyzed. Values that pass both of these tests will be included in the analysis and be labeled as Use_In_Analysis = TRUE. Any that fail either test will be excluded from the analyses and labeled as Use_In_Analysis = FALSE.

Water Quality - Discrete

The following files were used in the discrete analysis:

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_corrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_uncorrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Colored_dissolved_organic_matter_CDOM-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_pH-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Salinity-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Secchi_Depth-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Nitrogen-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Phosphorus-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Suspended_Solids_TSS-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Turbidity-2024-Mar-27.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Water_Temperature-2024-Mar-27.txt

Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	500	2010	2023
103	8	2000	2003
115	5	2000	2003
118	2	2000	2001

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin

Year	N_Total	N_Q	perc_Q
2019	5	1	20

Note: ¹Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Dissolved Oxygen - Discrete Water Quality

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is a key indicator of water quality. Oxygen enters surface waters by air-sea gas exchange, by wind action, or as a byproduct of aquatic plant photosynthesis. The actual quantity of DO in aquatic environments is dependent on the above processes as well as water temperature and salinity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	13705	1995	2023
69	8481	1989	2017
4067	5531	1995	2021
103	385	2003	2021
95	223	1974	2018
115	9	2000	2003
118	2	2000	2001

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
4067 - Tampa Bay Benthic Monitoring
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen in Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
4067	5070	1995	2021
5002	2687	2010	2023
102	10	1992	1992
95	1	2017	2017

Program names:

4067 - Tampa Bay Benthic Monitoring
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
102 - National Status and Trends Mussel Watch
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation in Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve

pH - Discrete Water Quality

The pH of water is the measure of how acidic or basic the water body is on a scale of 0-14, with lower readings indicating acidic and higher readings indicating basic, and a pH of 7 being neutral. Florida’s natural waters fall between 6.5 and 8.5 on this scale. A water body’s pH can change due to precipitation, geology, vegetation, water pollution and air pollution.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for pH

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for pH

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	12540	1995	2023
69	8272	1989	2017
4067	4208	1995	2021
103	384	2020	2021
95	202	1974	2018
115	9	2000	2003

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
4067 - Tampa Bay Benthic Monitoring
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for pH in Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve

Salinity - Discrete Water Quality

Salinity is a measure of the amount of salt in the water. In estuarine ecosystems, salinity is influenced by precipitation, evaporation, surface-water inputs, and exchange with coastal waters.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Salinity

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Salinity

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	13718	1995	2023
69	8516	1989	2017
4067	2524	1995	2021
95	902	1954	2018
102	10	1992	1992
115	9	2000	2003
118	2	2015	2015

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
4067 - Tampa Bay Benthic Monitoring
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
102 - National Status and Trends Mussel Watch
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Salinity in Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve

Secchi Depth - Discrete Water Quality

Secchi depth is a measure of the transparency or clarity of the water by a device called a Secchi disk. A Secchi disk is a black and white disk that is lowered into the water on a cord. The Secchi depth is the depth at which the disk can no longer be seen. The deeper the Secchi depth, the greater the water clarity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Secchi Depth

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Secchi Depth

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
69	7444	1994	2017
5002	377	2010	2023
103	173	2020	2021
115	4	2000	2002

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Secchi Depth

Year	N_Total	N_S	perc_S
2020	73	18	24.7
2021	263	58	22.0
2022	121	40	33.1
2023	76	26	34.2

Note: ¹S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Total Nitrogen - Discrete Water Quality

Nitrogen and Phosphorous are key nutrients that provide nourishment essential for the growth and maintenance of aquatic plants and animals; however, excess nutrients can cause harmful algal blooms and other water quality concerns. Nutrients enter water bodies several ways, including runoff from rain events and atmospheric deposition from natural and industrial sources.

Total Nitrogen Calculation:

The logic for calculated Total Nitrogen was provided by Kevin O’Donnell and colleagues at FDEP (with the help of Jay Silvanima, Watershed Monitoring Section). The following logic is used, in this order, based on the availability of specific nitrogen components.

1. TN = TKN + NO3O2;
2. TN = TKN + NO3 + NO2;
3. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3O2;
4. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO2 + NO3;
5. TN = TKN + NO3;
6. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3;

Additional Information:

• Rules for use of sample fraction:
  • FDEP report that if both “Total” and “Dissolved” are reported, only “Total” is used. If the total is not reported, they do use dissolved as a best available replacement.
  • An analysis of all SEACAR data shows that 90% of all possible TN calculations can be done using nitrogen components with the same sample fraction, rather than use nitrogen components with mixed total/dissolved sample fractions. In other words, TN can be calculated when TKN and NO3O2 are both total sample fraction, or when both are dissolved sample fraction. This is important, because then the calculated TN value is not based on components with mixed sample fractions.
• Values inserted into data:
  • ParameterName = “Total Nitrogen”
  • SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode = “1Q”
  • SEACAR_QAQC_Description = “SEACAR Calculated”
    Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
    
    Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Nitrogen
    
    The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Nitrogen

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	2797	1999	2023
103	16	2000	2003
115	5	2000	2003

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Total Nitrogen in Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve

Total Phosphorus - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Phosphorus

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Phosphorus

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	2553	1999	2023
103	158	2000	2021
115	5	2000	2003

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Total Phosphorus

Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_U	perc_U
2010	106			13	12.3
2011	93			53	57.0
2012	62			20	32.3
2014	60	1	1.7	3	5.0
2020	141	22	15.6	5	3.5
2021	300	53	17.7
2022	115	79	68.7
2023	92	79	85.9	3	3.3

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Total Suspended Solids - Discrete Water Quality

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) are solid particles suspended in water that exceed 2 microns in size and can be trapped by a filter.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Suspended Solids

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Suspended Solids

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	2602	2001	2023
103	150	2020	2021

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Total Suspended Solids

Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_U	perc_U
2009	122			1	0.8
2010	134	8	6.0
2012	112			5	4.5
2014	123	1	0.8	4	3.2
2015	120			1	0.8
2017	133			1	0.8

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Turbidity - Discrete Water Quality

Turbidity results from suspended solids in the water, including silts, clays, tannins, industrial wastes, sewage and plankton, which are all factors that contribute to how clouded or murky a water column is. Turbidity is caused by soil erosion, excess nutrients, pollutants, and physical forces such as winds, currents and bottom feeders.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Turbidity

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Turbidity

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	6944	1995	2023
103	149	2020	2021
95	2	2004	2004

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Turbidity

Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_Q	perc_Q	N_U	perc_U
2009	256			8	3.1	1	0.4
2010	317			7	2.2
2014	123	1	0.8			8	6.5
2015	120					1	0.8

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time ³U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Water Temperature - Discrete Water Quality

Temperature determines the capacity of water to hold oxygen. Cooler water can hold more dissolved oxygen because water molecules are more tightly packed, making it harder for oxygen to escape. Additionally, as water temperature increases, fish and other aquatic organisms become more active and consume oxygen at a faster rate.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Water Temperature

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Water Temperature

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	13982	1995	2023
69	8532	1989	2017
4067	4975	1995	2021
95	975	1954	2018
103	384	2020	2021
102	10	1992	1992
115	9	2000	2003

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
4067 - Tampa Bay Benthic Monitoring
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
102 - National Status and Trends Mussel Watch
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Water Temperature in Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

The data file used is: All_SAV_Parameters-2024-Mar-29.txt

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) refers to plants and plant-like macroalgae species that live entirely underwater. The two primary categories of SAV inhabiting Florida estuaries are benthic macroalgae and seagrasses. They often grow together in dense beds or meadows that carpet the seafloor. Macroalgae include multicellular species of green, red and brown algae that often live attached to the substrate by a holdfast. They tend to grow quickly and can tolerate relatively high nutrient levels, making them a threat to seagrasses and other benthic habitats in areas with poor water quality. In contrast, seagrasses are grass-like, vascular, flowering plants that are attached to the seafloor by extensive root systems. Seagrasses occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, including protected bays and lagoons as well as deeper offshore waters on the continental shelf. Seagrasses have taken advantage of the broad, shallow shelf and clear water to produce two of the most extensive seagrass beds anywhere in continental North America.

Parameters

Percent Cover measures the fraction of an area of seafloor that is covered by SAV, usually estimated by evaluating multiple small areas of seafloor. Percent cover is often estimated for total SAV, individual types of vegetation (seagrass, attached algae, drift algae) and individual species.

Frequency of Occurrence was calculated as the number of times a taxon was observed in a year divided by the number of sampling events, multiplied by 100. Analysis is conducted at the quadrat level and is inclusive of all quadrats (i.e., quadrats evaluated using Braun-Blanquet, modified Braun-Blanquet, and percent cover.”

Species

Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) is the largest of the Florida seagrasses, with longer, thicker blades and deeper root structures than any of the other seagrasses. It is considered a climax seagrass species.

Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) is an early colonizer of vegetated areas and usually grows in water too shallow for other species except widgeon grass. It can often tolerate larger salinity ranges than other seagrass species. Shoal grass is characterized by thin, flat blades, that are narrower than turtle grass blades.

Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) is easily recognizable because its leaves are thin and cylindrical instead of the flat, ribbon-like form shared by many other seagrass species. The leaves can grow up to half a meter in length. Manatee grass is usually found in mixed seagrass beds or small, dense monospecific patches.

Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) grows in both fresh and salt water and is widely distributed throughout Florida’s estuaries in less saline areas, particularly in inlets along the east coast. This species resembles shoal grass in certain environments but can be identified by the pointed tips of its leaves.

Three species of Halophila spp. are found in Florida - Star grass (Halophila engelmannii), Paddle grass (Halophila decipiens), and Johnson’s seagrass (Halophila johnsonii). These are smaller, more fragile seagrasses than other Florida species and are considered ephemeral. They grow along a single long rhizome, with short blades. These species are not well-studied, although surveys are underway to define their ecological roles.

Notes

Star grass, Paddle grass, and Johnson’s seagrass will be grouped together and listed as Halophila spp. in the following managed areas. This is because several surveys did not specify to the species level:

• Banana River Aquatic Preserve

• Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve

• Indian River-Vero Beach to Ft. Pierce Aquatic Preserve

• Jensen Beach to Jupiter Inlet Aquatic Preserve

• Loxahatchee River-Lake Worth Creek Aquatic Preserve

• Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve

• Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve

• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Maps showing the temporal scope of SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve by Program name.

Sampling locations by Program:

Map showing SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve. The point size reflects the number of samples at a given sampling site.

Western Pinellas County Seagrass Monitoring - Program 564

N_Data	YearMin	YearMax	Collection Method	Sample Locations
54	2019	2019	Percent Cover	7

Tampa Bay Seagrass Monitoring - Program 565

N_Data	YearMin	YearMax	Collection Method	Sample Locations
2489	1998	2022	Braun Blanquet	10

Median percent cover by species in Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve. Linear mixed-effects models are applied to each species to produce species trends. The trendlines are then isolated and reproduced below for ease of viewing. The LME results are available in table form beneath the supplemental trendplot below.

SAV

Generalized additive models for each species in Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve. Species must have at least 10 years of data to be evaluated.

Drift algae, Total seagrass, Attached algae, No grass in Quadrat, and Total SAV are excluded from the analyses.

Nekton

The data file used is: All_NEKTON_Parameters-2024-Mar-27.txt